When is your dog’s head shaking normal and when should you be concerned?
It is natural for a dog to shake their head when something irritates their ear, Shaking is highly effective for removing water, insects, debris, or other irritants. A couple of vigorous shakes should take care of the job.
For example, during bug season, my dogs will shake their head quite frequently—when biting insects go after the ears or face. The reason is apparent. The same thing happens after a bath or when it rains. Heck, even I might shake my head when I have my hands full, and bugs are after me.
Further information: Head Shaking in Dogs: When to Worry
When is head shaking a reason for concern?
If your dog continues to shake their head persistently, it means that despite the powerful forces shaking generates, it is not solving the problem. Perhaps the biting insect is latched on hard, there is pain, or the ear is itchy. Eventually, your dog might continue to try to rub it off.
One day, on the way from the horse farm, JD kept shaking his head and would not stop. And then an ant waltzed out of his ear. The shaking stopped.
When your dog starts shaking their head like that, examine the ears, eyes, head, neck, and skin carefully. Pay particularly close attention to the ears.
A thorough inspection of Jasmine’s ear, after she started shaking her head, tilting it to one side, and whimpering, revealed a tick latched to her ear flap.
Common reasons for excessive head shaking in dogs
Common reasons why your dog might shake their head excessively include:
- allergies
- foreign objects and other irritants inside the ear
- inflammation
- infections
- parasites
- ear polyps
Otitis, inflammation of the ear canal
A common cause of head shaking is otitis, inflammation of the ear canal. Grass awns, ear mites, and other things might be at play, but allergies are the most common causes of ear inflammation.
A secondary infection often follows—an inflamed ear makes a great playground for bacteria or yeast.
If you examine the ear, you might notice other common signs of otitis such as:
- redness
- swelling
- bad odor
- discharge
- pain
- rubbing at the ears
Don’t forget that even if you don’t see anything but your dog is obviously in discomfort or pain, the problem might be deeper in the ear—do not put off seeing a veterinarian.
Further information: Angry Vet On Ear Infections: Deciphering Ear Problems in Dogs
Foreign bodies
Foreign bodies deserve a special note because some of them can cause severe pain or damage. It could be a blade of grass embedded deep in the ear, or worse, grass awn.
If you have a reason to suspect a foxtail, also don’t delay. Because of their structure, those nasty little things can travel throughout your dog’s tissues and cause terrible damage.
Obi’s story: Acute Ear Pain in a Dog: What Caused Obi’s Severely Painful Ear?
Vasculitis
Vasculitis is inflammation of the blood vessels in the ear flap. It is not very common, but some breeds are susceptible, such as Dachshunds or Jack Russel Terriers.
It seems to be a condition brought on by an immune disorder but environmental factors such as frostbite, fly bites might contribute. Signs include thickening, ulcerating, and crusting.
This condition typically comes with thickening of the ear margins, which eventually ulcerate and crust over.
Other causes
Dogs with balance issues, be it from trauma, stroke, inner ear infection, or vestibular syndrome, might shake their heads in an attempt to relieve their symptoms.
Some forms of head tremors brought on by neurological disorders might look like head shaking.
Further information: Head Shaking in Dogs: When to Worry
Ear hematomas
Ear hematomas are a double-whammy. They can both result from excessive head shaking and make your dog shake their head even more.
If your dog shakes their head too vigorously, or if they happen to hit a hard edge such as a corner of a coffee table, the blood vessels rupture and blood spills in the space within the ear flap. The affected ear will become swollen and painful.
Further information: A Primer On Ear Hematomas
In closing
It is human nature to ignore things that are the norm. Chances are good that when you notice your dog’s head shaking, it has become excessive because otherwise your brain would ignore it.
Some potential causes of head shaking are easy to fix but most require a visit to a veterinarian. The degree of urgency depends on the severity of your dog’s discomfort.
Related articles:
Head Tilt in Dogs: Why Is My Dog Walking Strange?
Angry Vet On Ear Infections: Deciphering Ear Problems in Dogs
Further reading:
Head Shaking in Dogs: When to Worry